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Topic: PT658 was Launched iback into the water today |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 17, 2013 - 5:47pm
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Hello shipmates!
Here is a copy of the KATU TV Website news story about our boat. I thought you may be interested in seeing it. Jerry
Video News Story from KATU News
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Portland-PT-boat-back-in-the-water-again-224130791.html?tab=video&c=y
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Portland-PT-boat-back-in-the-water-again-224130791.html
Portland PT boat back in the water again
By KATU.com Staff
Published: Sep 17, 2013 at 2:03 PM PDT
Last Updated: Sep 17, 2013 at 3:43 PM PDT
PORTLAND, Ore. – The world’s only operational PT boat was back on the water Tuesday.
Or, more specifically, it was on the back of another boat, then back on the water.
PT-658, which has spent the better part of 20 years near a Coast Guard dock on Swan Island, was transported by barge to its new home at a boathouse at Vigor Shipyard.
Veterans and volunteers have spent years restoring the boat.
“It was in all areas of conflict during World War II,” said Wally Boerger, who has worked on the boat. “It was in the Aleutians. It was in the Mediterranean. It was protecting the flanks at the D-Day invasion.
“It’s like I said – it’s the only operational one and it’s pretty well fully restored to what it looked like when it came out of the factory.”
The boat has been on a dry dock for the past 12 months undergoing further repairs.
It turns out, restoring a decades-old boat is neither cheap nor easy.
“A boat is never done,” Boerger said. “As they say on Pawn Stars, boat stands for “bust out another thousand.”
Boerger said the boat is now fully repaired and will be on the water for years to come.
It gives Portland a unique piece of World War II history. Designed to quickly strike at vessels as large as battleships with torpedoes, PT boats are a dying breed. There are only a handful left, and PT-658 is the only one in the world that’s seaworthy.
“We have four Mark 13 torpedoes, we have a 40 millimeter (gun), we have two 20 millimeters,” Boerger said. “For its size, it was the most heavily armed boat in the U.S. Navy during World War II.”
View of Helm and twin 50 cals guntubs
Loading stbd Mk13 torpedo
Loading port side Mk13 torpedo
Mounting the 40mm Bofors onto new pedestal
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Frank Andruss
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 17, 2013 - 7:09pm
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Thanks for sharing this Jerry, another mile-stone for the boat and your group. I only wish I lived up the road..............
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Roy Forbes
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Posted on: Sep 17, 2013 - 7:45pm
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Awesome job Jerry that you and the crew did. Can't wait to get back up there and see her again. How did the boat house move go?
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Sep 18, 2013 - 3:09am
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Normally one does not celebrate when your baby's bottom is wet again but in this case, YAY!!! She sure looks good Jerry.
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 18, 2013 - 7:28am
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Jerry;
Awesome Job! BRAVO ZULU TO THE PT658 CREW!!
Was a RON 45 emblem ever designed? Even though it was never commissioned it would look cool on the side of the cabin.
Take Care,
TED
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Sep 18, 2013 - 1:29pm
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Thanks you guys. Ted I am not aware if they ever created an Emblem for RON45. I dont think so. I have never seen one anyway. That would be pretty cool if there was one! Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: Sep 18, 2013 - 2:17pm
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Wonderful job, Jerry and crew, and congratulations.
The boat looks great! |
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Colleen E
New Member
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Posted on: Sep 18, 2013 - 5:57pm
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beautiful pictures!
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Higgins Fan
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Sep 20, 2013 - 8:28am
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Great news! Best wishes.
--
National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"
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David Waples
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Posted on: Sep 20, 2013 - 7:10pm
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Fantastic news Jerry! Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Dave
David Waples |
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